December 2012

Join us as we celebrate an exciting year for TIPS and look forward to 2013!

***Special Offer*** FREE P&P for orders on the TIPS online shop during December 2012! ***Special Offer***

Like us on Facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd Facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

I cannot believe we have almost reached the end of another year – where did 2012 go? My life has been a rollercoaster ride over the past few weeks so I am just happy that we have been able to complete this e-newsletter on time!

After a nasty fall from his mountain bike on 22 September, sustaining a triple pelvic fracture, my son has understandably been taking up most of my time! I would like to thank everyone who has been following our journey on facebook for all the messages of support and encouragement. I am thrilled to be able to report that Jason is recovering well and we are hoping that he will be walking unaided again by Christmas! Vukovi, his band, have a date in their diary that Jason (he is the bassist) does not wish to miss. So obviously this was the natural choice for our featured event. Vukovi will be the headline act at the world famous King Tuts on 12 December. Jason may not play the whole gig and he may be sitting down but it will be a great achievement just to be there and I for one will be cheering him on! Join us if you can...

In between playing nurse, physio and cake maker (vital for a quicker recovery!), I have still managed to find time to complete our latest trial of the SnoozeShade® range of products - you can check out in our featured products section.

Once again we have a comprehensive selection of features for you in this e-newsletter. We have reviewed two websites. Aupairads (www.aupairads.com) was set up by two Swedish au pairs. It provides a network where parents and au pairs can find their perfect match. It is a unique solution to meet the demand for Scandinavian au pairs from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Aupairads are offering our readers the chance to win 1 of 2 ads worth €39 each. The second website we've reviewed is www.tractorted.co.uk. Tractor Ted in Tractorland teaches children from two to six years old about farming and countryside activities, for example where good food comes from, the seasons and how to care for animals through DVDs, books, toys and live events. Check out our e-newsletter competition to win 1 of 10 Tractor Ted DVD and Book sets.

Check out our delightful TIPS Testers' photos including some funky pictures of twin boys from Australia and another amazing 4D scan. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Our Top Tips include an innovative website for parents of primary school children. Keeping Up With My Kids is the brainchild of Claire Coles, mother of two and full time primary teacher of 9-10 year olds, who came up with the idea while on maternity leave. To help you out as the days get longer we feature Ten Rainy Day Activities courtesy of Galt Toys. We also feature the innovative product range from ICE Gems who have launched a new collection of medical ID wristbands and bracelets designed to help save a child’s life in an emergency. Our final Top Tip comes from Turn2us, an online resource that aims to help people access the financial support available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.

Check out a clever teaching product from Birth International. This fun and engaging hand puppet will help professionals demonstrate the latching of the baby for successful breastfeeding.

If you have ever dreaded mealtimes (I remember it well!) with toddlers then we might be able to help you with our recommended book: French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon. This follows the story of a family who moved to France, banned snacking and discovered ten simple rules for raising happy, healthy eaters.

Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading the first of a brand new feature: Diary of a Student Midwife Down Under. Part one introduces us to our new student midwife as she comes to the end of her second year of a four year combined nursing/midwifery degree in Australia. We hope to follow her ups and downs over the next two years as we compare the differences (if any) between UK and Australian midwifery courses.

Don't forget to check out our 11mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £500! Email your entries and you too could be a winner. Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

September 2012

Another first for TIPS: our online shop is now LIVE!

September 2012

TIPS e-newsletter 28 is published...

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

After months of planning, we are delighted to announce that you will be able to buy products on our website. TIPS Testers and Members often ask where they can find TIPS Award-winning products, that's why we've decided to start selling them right here, on the TIPS website. We are starting with a small selection of products: our signature latex ducky (you may have been following his travels on facebook); a personalised TIPS baby towel; the TIPS double Award-winning Jackson Reece baby wipes (Best of the best & Best eco-friendly) and the Tummy Tub (TIPS Best of the best baby bath). We will add products to the online shop to meet demand. Please email us at
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if you can't get a TIPS Award-winning product and we will do our best to find it for you.

TIPS provides independent advice about all aspects of parenting. This involves many hours of research by the TIPS Team. With no advertising revenue our only source of income are the TIPS trials. By using our online shop you will help TIPS continue to provide the very best impartial reviews of quality products for parents and babies. Have a look at our new TIPS Shop here...

Once again we have a comprehensive selection of features for you in this e-newsletter. We have reviewed two websites. Casabu (www.casabu.com) is a free-to-join private sale website. It features up to 15 daily sales offering discounts of up to 90% off retail prices on designer baby brands. Casabu are offering our readers the chance to win one of two £50 vouchers to spend online.

The second website is www.drylikeme.com. If you are about to start potty training your toddler then this could be a lifesaver. DryLikeMemake handy little potty training pads that can be used in little ones' pants. With Dry Like Me pads little ones learn how their body works when they have little accidents. This can help children become potty trained more quickly. Check out our mini-competition to win one of five Potty Training Packs.

Check out our delightful Testers' photos including my godson’s new baby daughter (makes me feel very old!). Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Our featured events are the innovative Jack & Jill Scottish Markets (where you can buy and sell baby products) and the first national safety day ‘The difference a minute can take’. Organised by home safety brand Lindam this campaign aims to raise awareness of childhood accidents and to help busy parents make their homes safer. On the subject of accidents, burns and scalds can have devastating long term consequences if you do not provide immediate first-aid. One of our Top Tips is a step-by-step guide to treating burns while you wait for medical help. We also feature a new campaign by The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust to make cycle helmets compulsory and to make roads safer for cyclists. Our final Top Tip features Osram’s latest LED light gadgets which can be charged with a laptop or PC. These highly energy efficient gadgets have many uses at home and away. We have two of these gadgets to give away.

We have news of two excellent DVD launches. Small Wonders has been produced by Best Beginnings (a highly respected charity who provides invaluable advice and support to parents expecting or coping with the shock of premature birth). The second is the global launch of the eagerly awaited documentary Freedom For Birth – The Mothers Revolution on 20 September 2012 1000 screenings are planned all over the world on that day. This campaign aims to help to bring about change so that women all over the world are allowed to decide how they want to give birth.

Three TIPS Parent Testers have reviewed the delightful book Beautiful Buggy Walks in England by Richard Happer. Not only does it contain stunning photos of the featured walks but it also leads the reader on a journey of discovery. We can guarantee it will make you want to dust off your all-terrain buggy and get your walking boots out of the cupboard!

Our featured products include an ingenious weaning tray called the Tiny Diner(our Top Value) and news of our recently tested baby and toddler slings. You will also have the chance to win some of these winning designs in our newsletter competition.

As well as our regular mix of featured apps (including a free download worth £4.99), charities, article, CD and Top Treat our latest My Story follows Aussie mum Nichola’s breastfeeding experiences as a mother of multiples and premature babies, and tri-andem feeding.

Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading the final part (11) of our Diary of a Student Midwife: has our highly successful student managed to secure her dream job?

Don't forget to check out our 10 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £600! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

August 2012

Win one of six pairs of tickets to...

The Manchester Baby Show

For a chance to win 1 of 6 pairs of tickets (worth over £100) email the words ‘Baby Show’ to
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by 12 August 2012. We will contact the winners by August 14 so they have plenty of time to plan their trip.

The Manchester Baby Show will take place at EventCity (near the Trafford Centre) 31 August – 2 September 2012

Opening hours: 9.30am - 4.30pm Free parking for over 3000 cars

Tickets are available in advance for £11 or two for £17

The eagerly awaited Manchester Baby Show promises to offer the perfect day out for parents to-be. You'll find over 250 brands to choose from, product demonstrations, and experts on hand to advise visitors - all in one place in an environment that truly provides all the facilities you and your children may need. You can also look forward to the return of ‘The Face of the Baby Show’ photo competition to find the face of the advertising campaign for the 2013 Baby Shows. As always, the Manchester Baby Show also promises some fantastic money saving opportunities.

9 products were carefully selected for this trial. 62 test samples, supplied by 6 manufacturers were sent to 62 Parent Tester (the age range of baby and toddler testers was birth to 55 months old).

Testers completed and returned 57 test questionnaires; this is a return rate of 92 per cent.

I had been planning to test slings since the launch of the TIPS Award Scheme in 2007. As a passionate supporter of breastfeeding and attachment parenting, I know how important it is to maintain skin-to-skin contact. This helps to stimulate hormone production and boost milk supply. The best way to keep your baby close is to carry them in a sling. This is often called babywearing.

Hope you enjoy reading all about how we set up this trial as well as the reviews for each of the nine winning products here...

June 2012

Time to celebrate all things British!

Like us on Facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd Facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics coming up we thought we'd join the rest of the UK and get into a celebratory mood. Michael has even designed a patriotic e-newsletter banner with the Union Jack background and Olympic rings with swimming TIPS® ducks! Our British theme continues in our Top Value feature with a chance to win a year's supply of Mornflake 100% British porridge oats. In our featured events we have two Special Edition Rosie Diamond Jubilee Dolls to give away and two special edition sets of our favourite card game from Carddies.

We are very excited about our e-newsletter competition which offers you the chance to win aKarcher Steam Cleaner worth £260! Perfect cleaning solution if your children have allergies.

Check out our delightful TIPS Testers' photos including a very special 4D scan and two sets of adorable twins. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

We feature The Birth Team website (www.thebirthteam.com). Parents-to-be can purchase private care packages ranging from a one-off home visit right up to a full package that include the first scan, antenatal, birth and postnatal care. The Birth Team experts are on-call 24/7. This is an excellent service for anyone wishing to opt for private maternity care.

We also feature the Little Blue Zebra website (www.littlebluezebra.com) which offers the perfect gift solution for children of all ages: prints of illustrations by award-winning children's book illustrator John Butler.

We have reviewed 2 books for you. Which? Made Easy: Photo Editing explains how to get the best from your digital photos. The Blossom Method ™by Vivien Sabel is the inspirational parenting book that everyone is talking about. This wee gem introduces us to a revolutionary way of understanding the language of newborns. In fact I was so impressed with The Blossom Method™ that I have decided to award it a TIPS Must-have.

As well as our regular mix of featured app, charity, events , article , video clip and Top Tips. Our latest My Story follows Vivien Sabel's journey on the road to publication of The Blossom Method™, one of our featured books. Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 10 of our Diary of a Student Midwife (delayed slightly due to last minute exams but coming soon...).

Don't forget to check out our 11 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £550! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

May 2012

Travelling with babies and children!

Summer is just around the corner and many families will be planning a variety of trips. We all know what a stressful time this can be.

I have been travelling with my own babies and children for many years and just thought I would share my hints and tips for stress free journeys with your little and not-so-little ones.

April 2012

WIN TICKETS for the Glasgow Baby Show!

We have five pairs of tickets to give away for the 2012 The Scottish Baby & Toddler Show!

Scotland’s biggest baby and toddler event is back at the SECC, Glasgow from 27 to 29 April 2012. Mothercare and Early Learning Centre are headline sponsor for the second year, and we are delighted to have 5 pairs of tickets to give away for this fabulous show.

Designed for parents and parents-to-be this event brings together the leading baby and toddler companies providing many products and services: from car seats to childcare, prams to photography, maternity wear to nappies. Once again, there will be no less than 200 exhibitors!

At the event, visitors get a chance to find out about latest products and services for parents, babies and toddlers; take advantages of special discounts offered at the show; and get expert pregnancy and parenting advice. There is plenty at the show to make it a really enjoyable event for the family, including a free crèche; free nappies, wipes and nappy sacks at the baby changing area; free facilities at the baby & toddler feeding area; and a baby & toddler play area provided by the Early Learning Centre.

Expert speakers including Annabel Karmel, Jo Tantum, Dr Titzer, someong from Road Safety Scotland and someone from the British Red Cross, will provide free seminars on a variety of topics, including infant learning, and brain development in children.

March 2012

Like us on Facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd Facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

Once again we have a packed issue including the long-awaited delivery of our TIPS® baby checklist that our Parent Testers helped us to develop. We talk a lot about safety in this issue, with articles about the safest car seats, the latest Lindam safety gate (we have two up for grabs in a mini-competition) and a video clip showing a step-by-step guide to using the epi-pen for severe allergic reactions. Our spring collection of TIPS Testers' photos is sure to delight and entertain you. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.We have reviewed the Bellabee websitefor you: go to www.bellabee.co.uk to find the perfect gift solution for children of all ages. Each hand drawn painting is made to order, and guaranteed to brighten up any child's bedroom or playroom. We even have a personalised Bellabee painting to give away!

Our featured brand is the world famous Bickiepegs. Established 87 years ago this beloved baby brand, not only manufactures the classic Bickiepegs teething biscuit but is also famed for the innovative Doidy cup (a TIPS Award-winning product since 2007). We would like to congratulate everyone at Bickiepegs in Aberdeen for continuing to provide first class baby products and excellent customer care.

We have reviewed a book for you: Hold it Mama, a book by leading Australian women's health physiotherapist Mary O'Dwyer.

Our latest My Story follows a new mother as she struggles to establish breastfeeding with her son who has tongue-tie. Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 9 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Don't forget to check out our 11 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £450! Get your entries in to Brigitte and you too could be a winner. Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

February 2012

Win 1 of 10 pairs of tickets to...The London ExCel Baby Show

24 to 26 February 2012 - Opening hours: 9.30am -5.30pm

The eagerly awaited London ExCeL Baby Show promises to offer the perfect day out for parents to-be. By letting you see and test all the products you could possibly need, this unique shopping event is designed to be free from hassle, stress and confusion. There will be an opportunity to listen to first class speakers in an environment that provides you and your children with all the facilities you might need. The show will have over 250 must-have brands as well as an exclusive baby boutique with products you just can't get on the high street. The show also promises some fantastic money saving opportunities.

Lisa Hayhurst: email
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or phone 01604 217 004

Venetia Khosla: email
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or phone 01604 217 111

January 2012

Win a Tummy Tub filled with Jackson Reece baby wipes...

TIPS Testers who trialled the Tummy Tub overwhelmingly praised this innovative baby bath. They told us their babies just loved being securely cocooned in warm water.

The Tummy Tub has been painstakingly developed with safety in mind: the smooth wide rim has easy-grip handles and the rubber strip on the non-slip base ensures perfect stability. Tummy Tubs are made of quality recyclable plastic which has been thoroughly tested for safety in Germany and in the UK. They come in 3 transparent shades and an optional two-step stool is also available. You can use the stool to raise the Tummy Tub, for extra storage or as a toddler step/seat.

The Tummy Tub is easy to use, easy to empty and easy to clean. And you will need less water for your baby's bath - this is great if you are on a water meter or if you are environmentally aware. More importantly: using the Tummy Tub calms even crying babies, helps with colic and settles babies ready for sleep.

Jackson Reece wipes have been trialled by more TIPS Testers than any other baby wipe. Feedback from all Testers has consistently been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone who tested the Jackson Reece wipes for TIPS said they were happy to recommend and buy these wipes. We were delighted to give the Jackson Reece baby wipes 2 TIPS awards: Best of the Best and Best eco-friendly in the 2009 trial. TIPS Testers are currently trialling the unscented version of the Jackson Reece wipes... keep checking the TIPS website to find out what Testers thought of these too!

For a chance to win 1 of 5 pairs tickets to the Glasgow Baby Show email the words 'Baby Show' to
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by 14 April. We will contact the winners before 20 April.

For a chance to win 1 of 10 pairs of tickets (worth £200) email the words ‘Baby Show’ to
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by 12 February 2012. We will contact the winners by 14 February so they have plenty of time to plan their trip to ExCel.

For a chance to win a Tummy Tub baby bath filled with Jackson Reece baby wipes email the words ‘Tummy Tub’ to
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by 30 January 2012. We will contact the lucky winner on 1 February.